Leigh Page
Encyclopedia
Leigh Page developed the theory of conformal invariance
originally suggested by Harry Bateman
. Chairman of Mathematical Physics at the Sloane Physics Laboratory of Yale University
for over three decades, he is the namesake of Yale’s
prestigious Leigh Page Prize Lectures.
to Edward Day Page & Nina Lee. He came to the Sheffield Scientific School “Sheff” at Yale
in 1909 as an assistant professor in drawing and graduate student under Henry Andrews Bumstead
. He switched to physics in 1912, was appointed assistant professor of physics in 1916, and professor of mathematical physics
in 1922, where he remained until his death in 1952. Devoting most of his time to teaching, Page conducted research and wrote several textbooks, which appeared in various editions, often with the assistance of colleague Norman I. Adams, Jr. In 1967 Yale University
sponsored the first of his namesake Leigh Page Prize Lectures, an honor since bestowed on several Nobel laureates and other notable physicists.
theory, including Maxwell's equations
, from only Coulomb's law
and the Lorentz transformation
. His “emission theory
” successfully explained blackbody radiation and other phenomena in electrodynamic
terms, but was eventually abandoned in favor of later theories of quantum mechanics
.
Along with Norman I. Adams, Page established the relation between the “conformal transformation” and a constant relative acceleration. This theory, known as “conformal relativity
”, “conformal invariance
”, or “conformal field theory
”, is applied today as an invariance
of gauge field theories for both electromagnetic and strong interactions. The symmetry
of “conformal invariance
” provides a valid approximation at very high energies or short distances when particle masses can safely be ignored.
Conformal field theory
A conformal field theory is a quantum field theory that is invariant under conformal transformations...
originally suggested by Harry Bateman
Harry Bateman
Harry Bateman FRS was an English mathematician.-Life and work:Harry Bateman first grew to love mathematics at Manchester Grammar School, and in his final year, won a scholarship to Trinity College, Cambridge. There he distinguished himself in 1903 as Senior Wrangler and by winning the Smith's Prize...
. Chairman of Mathematical Physics at the Sloane Physics Laboratory of Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
for over three decades, he is the namesake of Yale’s
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
prestigious Leigh Page Prize Lectures.
Biography
Leigh Page was born October 13, 1884 in South Orange, New JerseySouth Orange, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 16,964 people, 5,522 households, and 3,766 families residing in the township. The population density was 5,945.3 people per square mile . There were 5,671 housing units at an average density of 1,987.5 per square mile...
to Edward Day Page & Nina Lee. He came to the Sheffield Scientific School “Sheff” at Yale
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
in 1909 as an assistant professor in drawing and graduate student under Henry Andrews Bumstead
Henry Andrews Bumstead
Henry Andrews Bumstead was an American physicist known for his research into electromagnetism.-Education:Bumstead graduated from the Decatur High School . He then went to Johns Hopkins University in 1887, expecting to study medicine and to enter his father's profession. Courses taken under Fabian...
. He switched to physics in 1912, was appointed assistant professor of physics in 1916, and professor of mathematical physics
Mathematical physics
Mathematical physics refers to development of mathematical methods for application to problems in physics. The Journal of Mathematical Physics defines this area as: "the application of mathematics to problems in physics and the development of mathematical methods suitable for such applications and...
in 1922, where he remained until his death in 1952. Devoting most of his time to teaching, Page conducted research and wrote several textbooks, which appeared in various editions, often with the assistance of colleague Norman I. Adams, Jr. In 1967 Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
sponsored the first of his namesake Leigh Page Prize Lectures, an honor since bestowed on several Nobel laureates and other notable physicists.
Scientific contributions
Page derived a complete electromagneticElectromagnetism
Electromagnetism is one of the four fundamental interactions in nature. The other three are the strong interaction, the weak interaction and gravitation...
theory, including Maxwell's equations
Maxwell's equations
Maxwell's equations are a set of partial differential equations that, together with the Lorentz force law, form the foundation of classical electrodynamics, classical optics, and electric circuits. These fields in turn underlie modern electrical and communications technologies.Maxwell's equations...
, from only Coulomb's law
Coulomb's law
Coulomb's law or Coulomb's inverse-square law, is a law of physics describing the electrostatic interaction between electrically charged particles. It was first published in 1785 by French physicist Charles Augustin de Coulomb and was essential to the development of the theory of electromagnetism...
and the Lorentz transformation
Lorentz transformation
In physics, the Lorentz transformation or Lorentz-Fitzgerald transformation describes how, according to the theory of special relativity, two observers' varying measurements of space and time can be converted into each other's frames of reference. It is named after the Dutch physicist Hendrik...
. His “emission theory
Emission theory
Emission theory was a competing theory for the special theory of relativity, explaining the results of the Michelson-Morley experiment...
” successfully explained blackbody radiation and other phenomena in electrodynamic
Classical electromagnetism
Classical electromagnetism is a branch of theoretical physics that studies consequences of the electromagnetic forces between electric charges and currents...
terms, but was eventually abandoned in favor of later theories of quantum mechanics
Quantum mechanics
Quantum mechanics, also known as quantum physics or quantum theory, is a branch of physics providing a mathematical description of much of the dual particle-like and wave-like behavior and interactions of energy and matter. It departs from classical mechanics primarily at the atomic and subatomic...
.
Along with Norman I. Adams, Page established the relation between the “conformal transformation” and a constant relative acceleration. This theory, known as “conformal relativity
Conformal field theory
A conformal field theory is a quantum field theory that is invariant under conformal transformations...
”, “conformal invariance
Conformal field theory
A conformal field theory is a quantum field theory that is invariant under conformal transformations...
”, or “conformal field theory
Conformal field theory
A conformal field theory is a quantum field theory that is invariant under conformal transformations...
”, is applied today as an invariance
Invariant (physics)
In mathematics and theoretical physics, an invariant is a property of a system which remains unchanged under some transformation.-Examples:In the current era, the immobility of polaris under the diurnal motion of the celestial sphere is a classical illustration of physical invariance.Another...
of gauge field theories for both electromagnetic and strong interactions. The symmetry
Symmetry
Symmetry generally conveys two primary meanings. The first is an imprecise sense of harmonious or aesthetically pleasing proportionality and balance; such that it reflects beauty or perfection...
of “conformal invariance
Conformal field theory
A conformal field theory is a quantum field theory that is invariant under conformal transformations...
” provides a valid approximation at very high energies or short distances when particle masses can safely be ignored.